Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves has been nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the Colorado chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.

The trophy, awarded by the PHWA, is given annually to the player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.”

Masterton, a former University of Denver star who played for the Minnesota North Stars, is the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game. He sustained a head injury when he hit the ice – players didn’t wear helmets then – after taking a hit during a January 13, 1968, game against the Oakland Seals.

The nominations were announced Tuesday.

The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association proudly announces chapters’ nominees for the 2020 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: pic.twitter.com/EpBQDoMhe5

— PHWA (@ThePHWA) June 9, 2020

Players who won the award in recent years overcame serious injuries or illnesses, and Graves isn’t in that category. But he’s developed into one of the Avalanche’s top defensemen after spending all but 26 games in the minors his first four professional seasons, most of the first three in the New York Rangers organization.

Graves, who turned 25 last month, had 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) and a league-leading plus-40 plus/minus rating in 69 games this season. He was on the top pair with Cale Makar, who could win the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year, in what turned out to be the Avalanche’s final regular-season game this year, a 3-2 overtime win against the Rangers on March 11.

The Avalanche acquired Graves from the Rangers on Feb. 26, 2018 for defenseman Chris Bigras, a highly-touted prospect who didn't pan out after being a second-round pick (No. 32) in 2013. Bigras, now 25, spent this season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Philadelphia Flyers’ AHL affiliate.

Graves, the Rangers’ fourth-round pick (No. 110) in 2013, made his NHL debut with the Avalanche on Dec. 27, 2018 against the Vegas Golden Knights after being called up from the Colorado Eagles. He had five points (three goals, two assists) in 26 games with the Avalanche that season and didn’t play in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Considered a longshot to make the roster in training camp this season, Graves had an excellent camp, made the team and eventually moved up to the point where he averaged nearly 19 minutes a game. He played 20-plus minutes in 27 games.

His perseverance certainly paid off, and he’s been a positive influence with teammates and the media, a true sportsman.

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NHL players on Monday were officially permitted by the league to begin taking part in voluntary on- and off-ice workouts at their team practice facilities as Phase 2 of the league’s Return to Play format.

Fans and media aren’t allowed to attend.

No more than six players can be present at any time, and coaches aren’t permitted on the ice, rules to help keep everyone as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

No date has been set for Phase 3, formal training camps. The league has said that won’t start until at least July 10.



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